Press releases

Waitrose Wellington to open for business this week

Tuesday 26 January 2010

Creating more than 140 jobs for the area

Community leaders have welcomed the arrival of Waitrose Wellington which opens its doors for business at 8.30am on Thursday 28 January and has created more than 140 jobs for the area.

The shop, at 34-46 High Street, which has stood vacant for over a year, will be opened by the Mayor of Wellington, Peter Critchard, who comments, 'I am looking forward to welcoming Waitrose to the town and seeing the positive impact it will have on the area'.

Wellington Chamber of Trade and Commerce's Secretary, David Derrick, comments, 'The arrival of a quality retailer is a big boost to the town at a time when the local economy is still fragile following the recession and the downturn in trade that came with it. Attracting a big market player such as Waitrose to our town is good for choice and will bring a new shopping experience to the population of the town.'

'I also hope that those who choose to use the new store and come into the town to shop will try the large array of other quality businesses that Wellington possesses. The fact that Red Lion Court is, finally, being put to the use it was intended for is a pleasing conclusion to a long-running and , at times, strenuous time for the town, its business community and population in that part.'

All employees will become Partners, or co-owners, in the John Lewis Partnership. This will entitle them to a say in how the business is run and a share in the retailer's annual profits. Last year saw all existing employees receive 13 per cent of their annual wage in bonus.

Waitrose Wellington Manager, Simon Lambert, comments, 'Everyone is very excited about the opening and staff have been undergoing extensive training in preparation. Our investment in the area has been substantial and we are looking forward to introducing new shoppers to the Waitrose brand.'

'On opening day, we will be launching our 'Community Matters' scheme, which will see us donate £12,000 a year to 36 good causes that make a real difference within the local community. Our Partners have chosen the first three causes but I'm looking forward to seeing lots of nominations for other worthwhile causes from our customers in the coming months.'

Simon Spalding, Vice Chairman of the Wellington Arts Association, one of the first three causes that will receive a donation, comments, 'We are delighted to welcome Waitrose to the town and are pleased and proud to have been selected for the Community Matters Award'.

Waitrose is committed to helping its customers support small businesses from their area and Waitrose Wellington will be supporting over 25 local and regional producers.

Waitrose Local & Regional Product Manager, Tracey Marshall, comments, 'Opening our seventh food shop in Somerset means that we've been able to extend our contracts and forge deeper ties with a number of small local suppliers. One such producer is The Orchard Pig, from West Bradley, who were a finalist in the Waitrose 'Made in Britain' Awards last year and already supply their apple juices and cider to our other branches in the region. We're also pleased to be bringing on board sheep's milk iced desserts from Styles Farmhouse Ice Cream in Rodhuish'.

The new shop will also stock essential Waitrose1, the supermarket's new range of over 1,400 everyday affordably priced shopping items from fresh meat, poultry, fruit and vegetables, to canned and frozen food and beauty and household products, all of which are sourced to the high quality standards of Waitrose quality and care.

Shoppers can look forward to a wide range of fresh foods, dedicated meat, fish, delicatessen and cheese service-counters, Waitrose Entertaining 2, Waitrose Deliver 3, a 36 seater Coffee Shop as well as the supermarket's award winning wine collection.

The opening will also see its new staff acting as 'green ambassadors' and will be giving away 35,000 'Bags for Life' worth a total of £3,500 on opening. This is designed to encourage customers to re-use their carrier bags rather than depending on single use bags, and will be given out at the checkout for customers to pack their purchases in.

Notes to editors

  1. essential Waitrose - pork is British and from pigs that are outdoor bred, all beef and chicken is British, eggs are free range and all bananas are Fairtrade. 

  2. Waitrose Entertaining - a food ordering service which makes entertaining a pleasure. The food is prepared to order and made from top quality ingredients. 

  3. Waitrose Deliver - groceries, which can be ordered online, can be delivered free of charge or collected in the store.

About Waitrose:

  • Waitrose has over 220 branches dedicated to offering quality fresh food, value and customer service. Wellington will be its 223rd store in total and its 7th in Somerset. The other stores are Clifton, Westbury Park, Bath, Portishead, Weston-super-Mare and Crewkerne.

  • This month, Waitrose was recognised, for the fifth year running, as top Food & Grocery Retailer in a poll of 6,000 shoppers carried out by retail analysts Verdict Research. 

  •  The latest TNS figures (12 week total grocery data to 27 December 2009) show that Waitrose has seen the most rapid growth in the sector with a growth rate of 16.5 per cent. This compares to the industry average of 5.2 per cent. 

  • Waitrose has won more major wine awards than any other supermarket.

Enquiries

For further information, please contact:

Alison Grinter
Press Officer
Telephone: 01344 825586
Email: alison_grinter@waitrose.co.uk

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